On Thursday, 19 February, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope took to Twitter to announce that he has tested positive for covid-19, saying “My corona test came back positive. I am in good health and I am consulting a doctor.”
“Anyone who comes in contact with me should be careful and get your corona tested immediately if symptoms appear,” he added.
Earlier in the day Maharashtra water resources minister and state NCP chief Jayant Patil too had tested positive for coronavirus, reported Times of India.
This news comes amidst the sudden spike in cases of covid infection in Maharashtra over the last couple of weeks, prompting fear of a second wave, and a new set of covid restrictions by the civic bodies.
Since the weekend, when over 4k positive cases were reported on Sunday alone, Maharashtra has seen 3365 new cases on Monday, 16 February, and 3663 cases on Tuesday.
The worrying spike in covid cases has led the Maharashtra government to impose restrictions which it was initially reluctant to do.
This includes lockdown in 2 districts of the state. While a 10-day lockdown was announced in Yavatmal, a weekend lockdown was imposed in Amravati, reported NDTV.
Announcing the lockdown, Amravati collector Shailesh Naval said, "Due to increase in COVID-19 cases, we are imposing a one-day lockdown in Amravati district from Saturday evening 8 pm till Monday morning 7 am".
"I request people to follow Covid rules and isolation rules or else we will have to take more strict measures," he added.
With 736 cases being reported in Mumbai alone on Thursday, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation, too, has announced a fresh set of restrictions in order to clamp down on the rising numbers in the city.
The BMC also said that citizens flouting rules for home isolation, weddings, and public gatherings will be prosecuted.
“It’s a matter of concern. Most people travelling in trains don’t wear masks. People must take precautions or we will head towards another lockdown,” said Mayor Kishori Pednekar.
Meanwhile, the number of tests is also to be raised, and the vaccination drive is to continue.
(Written with inputs from NDTV and Times of India.)
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